×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Unique models breaking stereotypes and pushing boundaries around the world

Beauty is defined as a combination of qualities, such as shape, colour, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.

These models are proving that being yourself and embracing your unique features is the true definition of beautiful.

Chantelle Brown-Young: Brown-Young, aka Winnie Harlow, is a Canadian beauty with vitiligo, which causes depigmentation to parts of the skin.

Dreams of being a Bond girl...        #007

116.1k Likes, 739 Comments - ♔Winnie Harlow♔ (@winnieharlow) on Instagram: "Dreams of being a Bond girl...        #007"

Instagram post by thando hopa * May 4, 2016 at 7:48pm UTC

160 Likes, 4 Comments - thando hopa (@thandohopa) on Instagram: "#youmustalwaysadoretheskinyouarein @winnieharlow #winnieharlow. #camera #isinlove."

 

Thando Hopa - South African model and lawyer born with albinism.

Instagram post by thando hopa * Oct 27, 2015 at 6:22am UTC

388 Likes, 34 Comments - thando hopa (@thandohopa) on Instagram: "@nickboultonsa @gertjohan @lynkennedy #ferarri @melshaw001"

 

Harnaam Kaur - Model and body activist who has a full beard due to polycystic ovary syndrome

Check out Incredible Medicine: Dr Weston's Casebook on BBC I player. I play a part in the documentary where I speak about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. It was on last night. I'm such a clutch because I myself forgot to tune in, and remembered when people started to tweet me about it. Haha god bless them!   ❤   Make up by : @makeupbyamyb

1,913 Likes, 91 Comments - Harnaam Kaur (@harnaamkaur) on Instagram: "Check out Incredible Medicine: Dr Weston's Casebook on BBC I player. I play a part in the..."

Andrej Pejic - What's unique about this model is that she is actually a man. Andrej  is both a male and female model.

I'm stepping out

9,494 Likes, 142 Comments - Andreja Pejic (@andrejapejic) on Instagram: "I'm stepping out"

 

Rick Genest - Canadian born Rick Genest, aka Zombie Boy, had his body tattooed and turned into living art.

I see some of you did a zombie boy make up. Post your best make up and tag @RickGenestOfficial #RickGenestOfficial i will repost the best one. Thanks guys!  

19.1k Likes, 486 Comments - Zombie Boy    (@rickgenestofficial) on Instagram: "I see some of you did a zombie boy make up. Post your best make up and tag @RickGenestOfficial..."

Casey Legler - A former Olympic swimmer, Casey Legler is the first woman to work exclusively as a male model.

biz on Twitter

just discovered casey legler

Shaun Ross - Born in the Bronx in New York, Shaun Ross is the modeling industry's first male albino model.

So tonight I decided to attend the @bet awards with this look and before you completely judge it, feel free to hear why I decided to show up in such a look. My best friend @romansipe who styled me knows how much I love the fictional character "Tank Girl" and I didn't quite know how I wanted to make "Tank Boy " happen without being ostracized. I then remembered who I was and also with the help of the new found confidence of rappers today I decided to show up exactly how I wanted. Men of entertainment are always shunned when they decide to pop out of what society calls the norm especially men of color. Today musicians are wearing women's blouses and handbags as a form of freedom of expression and wether you like it or not they will still continue to do what they want to do. So I said to myself if they can do it so can I. I mean I've been doing it but it was just a fun form of reassurance. So continue to be you and be true. No Fucks given, over and out ✌   Hair by @theshelbyswain Make Up @thecelinarodriguez

10.2k Likes, 196 Comments - Shaun Ross (@shaundross) on Instagram: "So tonight I decided to attend the @bet awards with this look and before you completely judge it,..."

 

Sanele Xaba - Born in Durban, Sanele is South Africa's first male albino model who is redefining the catwalk stereotypes.

In a world where you can be anything, Be kind, be real, be fearless, be YOU... theres nothing more dope  

618 Likes, 10 Comments - Sanele Junior Xaba (@sanele_xaba) on Instagram: "In a world where you can be anything, Be kind, be real, be fearless, be YOU... theres nothing more..."

 

Ashley Graham - The Nebraska-born  plus-size model appears alongside power players like Gisele Bundchen and Karlie Kloss.

Instagram post by A S H L E Y G R A H A M * Jun 11, 2017 at 12:11am UTC

348.3k Likes, 3,735 Comments - A S H L E Y G R A H A M (@theashleygraham) on Instagram

 

Lea T: Leandra Medeiros Cerezo, aka Lea T, is a Brazilian-born, Italian-raised transgender fashion model.

Quantos elementos Amam aquela mulher...✨ @marianovivanco #atlantis #ibiza @eva_cavalli

2,192 Likes, 33 Comments - @leacerezo on Instagram: "Quantos elementos Amam aquela mulher...✨ @marianovivanco #atlantis #ibiza @eva_cavalli"

 

Alex Minsky - Former Marine who lost his leg in an explosion while deployed in Afghanistan. He has been featured in GQ, a campaign for the latest Hunger Games movie and brand ambassador for athletic brand LiveFit.

sunshine on Twitter

Alex Minsky, lost his leg in Afghanistan amp; still continues to slay all of our existences on the runway.

 

Jillian Mercado - This model may be in a wheelchair but is not held back by her by muscular dystrophy.

   photography @franklouisphoto makeup @johnfabulin

847 Likes, 25 Comments - Jillian Mercado (@jilly_peppa) on Instagram: "   photography @franklouisphoto makeup @johnfabulin"

<blockquote class="embedly-card" =""><h4><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BVH_RpFgXCx/?taken-by=jilly_peppahl=en">Can I take you back in time?    dress by @collectionsbk</a></h4><p>865 Likes, 25 Comments - Jillian Mercado (@jilly_peppa) on Instagram: "Can I take you back in time?    dress by @collectionsbk"</p></blockquote><p =""><script charset="UTF-8" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/platform.js">fds

Carmen Dell'Orefice - The 83-year-old has been modeling for nearly 70 years, since posing on the cover of Vogue's October 1947 issue at the tender age of 16.

Instagram post by Carmen Dell Orefice * May 17, 2017 at 1:58pm UTC

2,860 Likes, 107 Comments - Carmen Dell Orefice (@carmendellorefice_official) on Instagram

 

Khoudia Diop - A Senegalese model whose beautiful dark skin has made her popular in the modelling industry.

 

I love working with brands that are truly #authentic ✨ @icelandicglacial water comes from the springs in Iceland! #drinkclean #pureauthenticity

38k Likes, 380 Comments - Khoudia Diop (@melaniin.goddess) on Instagram: "I love working with brands that are truly #authentic ✨ @icelandicglacial water comes from the..."

 

Halima Aden -  Halima Aden is the first hijab-wearing model to grace the cover of American women’s beauty magazine, Allure.

Beyond my wildest dreams ! Thank you so much @allure for showcasing and highlighting a young Muslim woman in the fashion world. I'm so beyond grateful to the whole team! @heymichellelee @lisadiruocco @ivanmbart @imgmodels   : @solvesundsbostudio   : @beatbolliger     : @philippetholimet   : @thevalgarland   : @mariannewman @marie_suter @rhiannarule @dkpergament // words by #MollyYoung

41.5k Likes, 901 Comments - Halima Aden (@kinglimaa) on Instagram: "Beyond my wildest dreams ! Thank you so much @allure for showcasing and highlighting a young Muslim..."

Refilwe Modiselle - Refilwe Modiselle is a South African's first professional fashion model with albinism.

African Vanilla Goddessing   Runway Queening in finale garment No.3, for the @AfricanafashionVibe Show produced by @andimanxiwa #DACAfricaMonth Designer: @antherline    Make up: @vuyovaroy Hair: @bonolo_stylist    : Simon Deiner #GodsBabygirl #AfricasFirstSuccesfulModelWithAlbinism #Model #VanillablaqMagic #BlackWomanMagic #AfricanVanillaQueening #Gratitude #Fashion #Beauty #TBT

266 Likes, 12 Comments - Refilwe Vanillablaq Modiselle (@refilwemodiselle) on Instagram: "African Vanilla Goddessing   Runway Queening in finale garment No.3, for the @AfricanafashionVibe..."

 

Brunette Moffy: Moffy suffers from strabismus or cross eyes and her unique look is challenging fashion industry norms.

Out now @moffygathornehardy @stormmodels for @wonderland by @bybellazine @chanelofficial story styling @warrenleech makeup @kristinavidic_ @sofiasjoohair @stellacreativeartists using @catwalkbytigi #wondeland #editorial #chanel #bellahoward #moffy #retro #modern #colorful #tigi # catwalk #hair #hairstylist #sofiasjoohair

80 Likes, 5 Comments - Sofia Sjoo (@sofiasjoohair) on Instagram: "Out now @moffygathornehardy @stormmodels for @wonderland by @bybellazine @chanelofficial story..."

 

Amazon Eve:  The world's tallest model at 6ft 4in.

Matthew Rose on Twitter

@AmazonEve hope you have a great time at the #SwanseaHorrorCon, on holiday at the time or would have come to catch up :)

 

Melanie Gaydos: Gaydos was born with ectodermal dysplasia, a condition that makes her pores, teeth, nails and small bones form abnormally. She also has alopecia and is partially blind.

 

@avine_ @sofichernyak @corvuscrux headpiece by @heartofgolddesigns #melaniegaydos

4,238 Likes, 60 Comments - Melanie Gaydos (@melaniegaydos) on Instagram: "@avine_ @sofichernyak @corvuscrux headpiece by @heartofgolddesigns #melaniegaydos"

 

Viktoria Modesta:  A Latvian born English singer-songwriter,  performance artist and model. An accident at birth left her with a defect in her left leg and at the age of 20 she asked doctors to amputate her lower left leg.

Never posted this shot from the @wired feature guest edited by @barackobama Obama in the #NewFrontiers issue. Still so humbled to have that recognition #obama #obamalegacy styled by @joannahir photo by @jamesdayphoto mua @lansartlondon hair @thewigdaddy wearing @erevosaether @unitednude @thealternativelimbproject @neonailtech @ktz_official

4,918 Likes, 64 Comments - VIKTORIA | MODESTA (@viktoriamodesta) on Instagram: "Never posted this shot from the @wired feature guest edited by @barackobama Obama in the..."

Jeremy Meeks: Meeks shot to viral fame after the Stockton Police Department posted his mugshot on Facebook. The image received 75,000 likes, 20,000 comments and 10,000 shares. After serving his time, the former convict is now a model.

#PleinSport #milan #fashionweek Thank you @philippplein78

107.5k Likes, 670 Comments - JEREMY MEEKS (@jmeeksofficial) on Instagram: "#PleinSport #milan #fashionweek Thank you @philippplein78"

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.